Biography
No other Filipino actress has donned the controversy cloak quite like Rosanna
Roces. Her life off screen is perhaps just as dramatic and colorful as her on
screen portrayals in more than 30 movies and TV shows.
Controversy has dogged Rosanna’s career from the start. She was after all
the queen of titillating films predominant in the 1990s. Seiko Films introduced
her to the masses as Ana Maceda in movies like Nagbabagang Labi, Kirot 2, Di Mapigil
Ang Init, and Machete 2.
But it was her decision to move on to bigger and more complex but no less daring
roles that made the public pay attention to the performances of a certain Rosanna
Roces. Under Reyna Films, Rosanna brought to life morally gray characters that
grabbed the attention not only of the viewers but also those of critics.
The 1997 critically acclaimed Carlos Siguion-Reyna film Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo
Sa Akin gave Rosanna her first Gawad Urian Best Actress nomination. The following
year, she was again nominated in the same category for her lead role in Curacha:
Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga.
Rosanna gave more critically acclaimed performances, if not box-office sales,
in such movies as Ang Lalaki Sa Buhay Ni Selya with Gardo Versoza and Ricky
Davao; Kahit Pader, Gigibain Ko opposite Philip Salvador; Mapusok with Julio
Diaz and Emilio Garcia; Ginto't Pilak with Rudy Fernandez; Ang Babae Sa Bintana
with Richard Gomez ; Katawan with Christopher de Leon; Ms. Kristina Moran, Ang
Babaeng Palaban with Eric Quizon; and Basta't Ikaw Nangingining Pa with Vic
Sotto .But it was her portrayal of a thief in La Vida Rosa that made her a Gawad
Urian Best Actress winner in 2002. She shared the award with Assunta de Rossi,
who was also recognized for her performance in the movie Hubog.
Rosanna also graced the boob tube with performances in 1 for 3 with Vic Sotto
and Charlene Gonzales from 1997 to 2002 and Daboy En Da Girl with the late Rudy
Fernandez from 2002 to 2003. She also showed off her hosting skills in GMA’s
Startalk from 1996 until 2004.
It was her stint at Startalk that made her even more of a controversial figure,
as in any case involving a host that have no qualms in speaking her mind. She
left the show in 2004 after a major falling out with then manager and friend
Lolit Solis, which led to a legal battle with GMA. Rosanna was also involved
in long legal feuds with Lolit Solis and businesswoman Vicky Belo .
Rosanna’s off-screen problems took a toll on her career. But she has started
to pick up the pieces with guest appearances in Rated K and Maalaala Mo Kaya,
which led to other TV projects for GMA-rival ABS-CBN. She had a minor role in
the 2007 drama series Ysabella; she was Rosario, the loving mother of Judy Ann
Santos who died when she was young. Rosanna had bigger supporting roles in Sineserye
Presents: Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos? and Maging Sino Ka Man: Book 2.
Rosanna was born Jennifer Adriano on May 24, 1972. She has a daughter, a son,
and grandchildren.
